…as NAF marks one year of zero aircraft mishaps, credits milestone to deep-rooted safety reforms and command vigilance
By Nkechi Eze
In a significant milestone that underscores a new era of operational discipline and professionalism in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the service has marked a full year without a single aircraft mishap. The announcement was made during the 2025 Safety Review Board (SRB) Meeting, which took place on July 22 at the Air Marshal MD Umar Blue Room, Headquarters NAF, Abuja, with the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, presiding.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who disclosed the details in an official statement, said the achievement reflects a deliberate and sweeping transformation in aviation safety culture within the NAF, driven by reforms implemented under the current leadership. He further disclosed that the CAS described the milestone not as a stroke of luck, but the result of systemic institutional reforms anchored in foresight, vigilance, and accountability.
“This is a significant achievement, one that underscores the collective commitment and vigilance of our personnel,” Air Marshal Abubakar declared. “Safety is not a one-time achievement, but a continuous process requiring foresight, innovation, and accountability.”
The one-year safety record, widely seen as an extraordinary feat in military aviation, comes at a time when the NAF is undergoing rapid modernization, acquiring advanced air platforms and expanding its operational footprint across various theatres. Yet, despite the intensity of operations and complexity of missions, the Force has managed to uphold stringent safety protocols, avoiding the tragic accidents that have marred similar institutions in the past.
According to Air Marshal Abubakar, the accomplishment is the product of strategic interventions that include the expansion of safety training programs, improved command-level oversight, and the institutionalization of predictive safety management systems. He revealed that over 1,300 airmen and 157 officers have undergone safety induction and awareness training in 2025 alone, raising the total number of safety-trained personnel to 1,199.
“Our goal is to make safety education universal within our ranks,” he emphasized, noting that investment in human capacity must run parallel to technological enhancements. “No matter how advanced an aircraft may be, its effectiveness is ultimately determined by the safety environment in which it operates.”
The CAS further stressed that safety must transcend routine procedures to become an internalized value across the Force. He called on commanders at all levels to lead by example and uphold the highest safety standards. “We must remain vigilant and avoid the trap of complacency. Most aviation accidents are not caused by fate, but by lapses in judgment, communication, or adherence to procedures,” he cautioned.
The SRB meeting served as a forum for senior commanders and stakeholders to review safety trends, exchange lessons learned, and map out strategies for further consolidation of NAF’s safety framework. In his remarks, the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Abidoye, highlighted the operational depth of the safety system, revealing that evaluation visits had been conducted at 58 units in the first half of 2025, with 31 safety inspections completed.
“We have also held safety awareness seminars across various commands to reinforce our safety culture,” he stated, adding that these efforts are part of a deliberate attempt to ingrain safety consciousness as a permanent feature of the NAF’s operational ecosystem.
The SRB meeting ended with a strong collective resolve to institutionalize safety as a fundamental value beyond statistics and performance metrics.
